CHAPTER 36: MY CURE

"First love?"

The words echoed in Theo’s mind, triggering a flood of mismatched memories. Faces he didn’t recognize. Places he couldn’t place. Meetings, deadlines, routine. All cold and empty.

None of them were her.

Still, his eyes stayed locked on Daisy. Unblinking. Focused.

"First love..." he repeated, slower this time, testing the weight of it.

Daisy forced a smile, arms still draped around his neck, though every part of her wanted to recoil.

"You really don’t remember me?" she asked, voice light. She leaned in just enough for her lips to graze his ear. "We first met in high school..."

Theo chuckled, a low sound from deep in his chest.

"Really?" he murmured.

His hands gripped her waist suddenly, pulling her flush against him. The movement was slow and intimate. She could feel the rise and fall of his breath now, his heartbeat just beneath his skin.

"Interesting," he whispered, lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Because Theo Kingsley went to an all-boys school."

Her breath hitched.

Before she could pull away, his hand slid up her spine, stopping just below the nape of her neck. Skin to skin.

"So... first love..." Theo murmured, resting his head on her shoulder. His voice was low and amused. "Where exactly did we meet?" He tilted his head slightly, lips brushing the curve of her neck.

Daisy flinched and out of reflex, she was trying to pull away, making both of them fall on the ground.

Theo’s back hit the ground, arms still wrapped around her, luckily, he managed to move just in time to twist their bodies. Daisy landed on top of him, breath knocked out of her chest. Her hands pressed against his chest for balance but then... slipped.

In that moment of chaos, their lips met.

It was clumsy and sudden but it was enough to freeze everything.

Daisy’s breath caught in her throat but Theo, he didn’t blink and did not move.

As if...something in his eyes shifted, he gently cupped the back of her head, holding her there. His lips softened against hers, just for a heartbeat and then stilled again.

The air hung heavy and Daisy blinked as her mind went blank.

"When did you arrive?" he asked, after carefully pulling away.

"Huh?" Daisy’s brows knit together, still dazed from the kiss, her lips slightly parted.

The silence made both their heavy breaths be heard clearly. There was a subtle change in Theo’s expression, it softened. Slowly, his hand still resting at the back of her head as if grounding himself. "Thank you," he murmured, almost to himself.

"Huh?" Daisy blinked, her voice small. Everything that was coming out of Theo’s mouth at that moment made no sense. She was still trying to catch up, her mind foggy, lips tingling, cheeks burning.

IInstead of continuing to lay in that dangerous position, Theo finally moved his hands. He shifted his body carefully, sliding his palms under her armpits. With slow, gentle motion, he helped her upright.

He didn’t let go right away as his eyes swept over her, checking for any injury, "Did you hurt anywhere?" he asked.

The tone in his voice made her look up.

Daisy shook her head slowly, searching his expression. "No. I’m fine."

Theo nodded, but didn’t say anything for a long second. His thumb brushed her elbow absently, "What time is it?"

Daisy blinked. ’What?’

She continued staring at him, her silence stretching, unsettled by how casually he spoke, as if their lips hadn’t just met just a minute ago.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked, finally noticing her gaze, his tone soft, brows slightly drawn.

That’s when she snapped herself out of it.

With a dramatic huff, she stepped back and crossed her arms. "So, husband..." she began, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you believe everything now?"

Theo tilted his head slightly, confused.

"I mean, since we kissed and everything," Daisy continued, chin tilted defiantly. "I believe you now wouldn’t question again that we’re married..."

Theo looked at her, and a very subtle smile tugged at the corner of his lips."Hmm... So do we often kiss?"

"Ah—uh?" Daisy stammered, caught completely off guard. Her sass wavered for a half-second. "I–I mean... at least once a day, no?" she replied quickly, eyes darting away. "For skinship... bonding... you know, couple things..."

Then she muttered under her breath, "What am I doing...?" before gritting her teeth and turning slightly away.

Theo looked down, closed his eyes briefly, as if trying to center himself, trying not to let too much show. "You sound so convincing, Mrs. Kingsley."

"Of course!" she snapped back, turning to meet his eyes, though her pupils wavered the moment they locked. "You know... it kind of hurts that you don’t remember me." She swallowed, the bravado faltering for just a second. "About your condition... is this what you told me before? Like, short-term memory loss?"

Theo’s gaze shifted upward as if searching his mind, thoughtful for a beat.

"Short-term memory loss?" he echoed. "I told you that?"

"Hmm," Daisy nodded, slipping right back into her role, her voice sweet as honey. "You were worried I’d leave you, remember? So you made me promise that even if you forgot things sometimes, I’d still stay by your side."

She smiled, soft, almost fond, although her heart was pounding like crazy right at that second. "That’s what a good wife does, right?" She smiled and scrunched her nose.

Theo let out a quiet breath, unreadable. His eyes lingered on her face, but Daisy couldn’t tell if he was touched... or suspicious.

"I see," he murmured. Then, lips curling just slightly, "Sounds like I got lucky, marrying someone like you."

Daisy’s throat tightened. ’Stop blushing, you moron. Stop it. He’s the same face, but not the same guy.’

She forced a small laugh. "Right! So you better take better care of your beautiful wife." She put her palms under her chin and blinked dramatically.

"I will..." He suddenly moved closer to her and dipped his head on her shoulder, "I will make sure to take better care of you..."

Daisy was stiff, her whole body frozen as if her brain had electrocuted. For the freaking damn time, her heart was drumming so loud it might as well have been broadcast through speakers. And her stupid face? Absolutely no help at all, burning, blushing, betraying her.

"W-What are you doing..." she whispered, trying to lean back just enough to breathe without seeming like she was running.

"Taking care of you," he replied, moving his head closer to her neck. His voice dipped lower, his eyes returning to that unreadable, cold shade. Then he murmured, barely audible, "...my cure."